New Zealand Dollar
The buzz of conversations, the ring of phones, the clatter of keyboards; the soundscape of a modern open-plan office is all too familiar to New Zealand business owners and office managers. And while collaboration is essential, constant noise can chip away at productivity and employee satisfaction.
Two terms often tossed around in the quest for quieter offices are sound damping and sound proofing. They sound similar but mean very different things. Knowing the difference will help you choose the right solution for your workplace.
Turning Down the Volume: Sound Damping Explained
Sound damping (or sound absorption) is all about reducing noise inside a room. It uses soft, porous materials to soak up sound waves and stop them from bouncing around. Think of it as taming echoes rather than blocking noise.
In an open office, damping makes conversations clearer and reduces the “din” that carries across the floor. It won’t stop noise escaping into other rooms, but it makes the space more comfortable for those inside.
Keeping Noise In or Out: Sound Proofing
Sound proofing, by contrast, aims to block sound from travelling in or out of a room. That means thicker walls, insulation, double-glazing and other heavy-duty construction. It’s great for privacy or stopping street noise but usually requires major architectural changes.
For most Kiwi offices, a full soundproofing job isn’t realistic. That’s why many look first at sound damping solutions.
Versare SoundSorb: Recycling Bottles Into Better Acoustics
Versare’s SoundSorb acoustic panels are a good example of how sound damping has evolved. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles, repurposed into dense polyester fibre that absorbs sound instead of letting it bounce. Each panel contains a high proportion of post-consumer PET, giving it a sustainability edge.
SoundSorb has an NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) of around 0.6, meaning it absorbs about 60% of sound energy on average. In practical terms, this takes the harsh edge off office chatter, reduces echoes, and creates calmer, more focused environments.
For context, carpet sits around NRC 0.2–0.3, while premium acoustic panels can hit NRC 0.8 or more. At 0.6, SoundSorb sits in the sweet spot: effective for most office noise issues, affordable, and easy to apply.
Portable Partitions & Room Dividers in SoundSorb
One of the biggest advantages of SoundSorb is that it isn’t limited to wall panels. Versare also builds portable partitions and room dividers out of the same material.
The benefits of these are clear:
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Flexibility: Create quiet zones, breakout spaces, or semi-private areas instantly, then move or reconfigure them as needs change.
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No building consent needed: Unlike permanent walls, partitions can be used in leased spaces without altering the fit-out.
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Cost-effective: Instead of a costly renovation, you can deploy portable dividers to solve noise and privacy issues right away.
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Multi-purpose: Many SoundSorb partitions double as tackable surfaces – great for pinning notes, plans, or artwork.
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Scalable: Add more partitions as your team grows or your floor plan shifts.
For offices that juggle hybrid schedules or host events, portable partitions mean your layout can adapt as quickly as your calendar.
Pros and Cons of Sound Damping
Pros:
- Improves speech clarity and focus in noisy rooms.
- Easy to retrofit into existing offices.
- Eco-friendly and available in modern colours and styles.
- Affordable compared with architectural soundproofing.
- Portable options like SoundSorb partitions give extra flexibility.
Cons:
- Limited at blocking external noise.
- Limited privacy for confidential conversations.
- Needs sufficient coverage to be effective. (20 to 25% coverage)
- Won’t tame very low-frequency rumble (like HVAC or heavy machinery).
DIY vs Architectural Options
For many New Zealand offices, DIY damping is the quickest fix: buy acoustic panels or partitions, install them where echoes are worst, and see an immediate improvement. Portable products like SoundSorb can be set up by staff and moved as needed.
On the other hand, architectural soundproofing requires contractors, consents, and bigger budgets. That might make sense for law firms, medical consult rooms, or studios where privacy is critical – but it’s not necessary for every business.
Often the best approach is hybrid: use SoundSorb partitions and panels for flexible, day-to-day noise control, and plan soundproofing only for spaces where it’s mission-critical.
The Bottom Line
Noise in the office isn’t just an irritation - it’s a productivity issue. Sound damping and sound proofing tackle it in different ways, and for most Kiwi workplaces, damping with solutions like Versare SoundSorb is the smarter first step.
Made from recycled bottles and available as both panels and portable partitions, SoundSorb is an eco-friendly, adaptable way to create calmer, more productive spaces. And unlike building new walls, you can reconfigure it tomorrow if your needs change.